Sports

Months After Manoj Tiwary’s Retirement U-Turn, India Batter Hangs Up Cricketing Boots

February 17, 2024
Bharat Times

Kolkata: India and Bengal cricketer Manoj Tiwary bids farewell to the cricketing arena, announcing his retirement from all forms of the game after the ongoing Ranji Trophy fixture against Bihar.

Tiwary, a stalwart of Bengal cricket, made his debut in 2004, leaving an indelible mark with an impressive average of 48.56 and accumulating nearly 10,000 first-class runs, including 29 centuries and 45 half-centuries. His List A career saw him amass 5581 runs in 169 games at an average of 42.28.

In a poignant social media post, Tiwary expressed: “Hi all, So… It’s time for the one last dance! Possibly one last time for a long walk towards my beloved 22 yards. I will miss every bit of it! Thanks for cheering and loving me all these years. Would be loving it if you all come down to my favourite Eden Gardens tomorrow and the day after to cheer for Bengal. A loyal servant of cricket, your Manoj Tiwary.”

Manoj Tiwary International Career: Represented India Internationally 15 Times

Tiwary’s journey in international cricket faced both highs and lows. After making his debut for India in an ODI against Australia in 2008, he had to wait until 2011 and 2012 for consistent opportunities. His only century in ODIs came in December 2011 against the West Indies in Chennai. Despite several setbacks and injuries, he made a comeback in 2014 for a series in Bangladesh and played his final ODI series in Zimbabwe later that year. He evetually finished with 287 runs in 12 ODIs and 15 runs in a solitary innings from 3 T20Is.

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Apart from his international career, Tiwary contributed significantly to the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for the Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils), and Rising Pune Supergiant. Tiwary’s cricketing journey was a rollercoaster of promise and challenges. His stellar performance in the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy, where he scored 796 runs at an average of 99.50, marked the early chapters of his career. However, fate dealt him a cruel hand when a shoulder injury on the eve of his debut match delayed his international entry.

Manoj Tiwary’s Retirement Reversal After 2022-23 Season

Despite facing several kind of obstacles, Tiwary, who also happens to be the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in the state of West Bengal, showcased resilience and determination throughout his career. The 38-year-old had announced his decision to retire last seaoson too but after a discussion with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehasish Ganguly, he delayed his decision to quit the game by a season.

(With Inputs From IANS)